Concerning this blog, a gallery owner once said to me, “You sure have a lot of opinions.” I think they were concerned with the possibility of me alienating one or more of their clients with my personal opinions.
“Everyone has opinions,” I replied. “They just don’t always express them.”
That short exchange may well be the basis for this painting, Advocate. A 24″ by 36″ work on canvas, this is a new piece showing at the Facets show at the Principle Gallery in Alexandria, VA, which opens Friday, June 11th.
When I look at this piece I see the red tree as the advocate, standing up for an opinion that may represent that of the red roofed houses. It’s as though there is an interchange happening between the tree and the light breaking through the fingers of the sky, the tree arguing for the light to shed aside the darkness and shine on the scattering of homes below.
Actually, while I do have as many opinions as anyone and sometimes have an inability to keep them to myself when asked, I try to steer away from treading too much in this blog on subjects that do not pertain to my work in some way. Unfortunately, my work is a product of my emotions and my emotions are often stirred by things going on in this world. So occasionally opinion on things that may not seem to have anything directly to do with the making of art creeps in.
This always leaves me a little uneasy. Like the title of my show, I am a prism comprised, as we all are, of many and varied facets. I show many of these aspects in my work and in this blog and I sometimes fear I am showing too much, that once the viewer has gained enough familiarity with the work and me, the mystery of the work will be gone. So, I try to keep some of these facets out of the light of my visible prism. Actually, I almost started listing these here as examples, which would kind of defeat the whole purpose of not showing them in the first place.
But the red tree of this painting is not afraid to show themself fully as it is, visible from every aspect. It is vulnerably in the open yet it appears strong and definite in conviction, willing to face down anything that crosses its path. It is a fully lit prism.
Maybe this is a case where a painting represents aspiration rather than reality…
Redtree Times 
I can sympathize. I often had people question my sanity about expressing some of my opinions while using my real name.
It’s not the first time someone’s doubted my sanity, though.
My response to this is: Men and women have fought bravely for my right to express my opinions. I’m at least brave enough to use that right.
As are you, sir.
An update: I logged in 1700 words yesterday which means this new book may well be finished by summer’s end. Taking a hiatus from my blog was the right thing to do.
Dave– I wish I had the cajones that you possess in expressing your opinion. I’m glad to see your hiatus is proving fruitful for your novel. Getting close?
“Everyone has opinions,” I replied. “They just don’t always express them.”
I love your artwork and I enjoy your blog and your opinions. How dull life would be if we never expressed our opinions to each other and how short-sighted our view of the world would be. As you said, everyone has opinions and we learn from each other by voicing these opinions. Thankfully we live in a society that encourages personal expression and as a reader or writer we can agree or agree to disagree in a civilized manner. So never apologize for having an opinion! Keep posting yours — please!
Oh, I never said I would stop expressing my opinion. I’m just trying to be careful and weighing my words before expressing them so as not to let my reactionary side become the the most visible part of the prism.
Thanks!